Mandy Locke of the Charlotte Observer newspaper wrote an article detailing the realities facing some 17 million single women Boomers -- a poorer future.

It is a stark reminder that not all Boomers will be "alpha Boomers" or strong consumers for years to come. Millions are at the end of their earning years now and do not have money saved for their future.

Many haven't saved for retirement -- either relying on a now long-gone husband, or not having earned as much as a man thanks to pay discrimination, or losing key earning years while out having children.

Most should live to age 85 and beyond, making their "golden years" something less than bright and cheerful.

A lifeline for these individual women might be to band together in a "family of choice." We hear of these forming as single women connect with each other to create their own household unit, where there is strength in numbers. Think TV's Golden Girls, but with more moxie.